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CoastalScrapeLarge · 614 g
ID tip
The name "oystercatcher" is something of a misnomer for this species, because they seldom eat oysters, which are found mainly on rocky coastlines. Pied oystercatchers frequent sandy coastlines, where they feed mainly on bivalve molluscs, which are prised apart with their specially adapted bill. These adaptations allow the Pied oystercatchers to slip their bills between the ventral edges of these shelled organisms, further allowing them to sever the shells and reach the edible flesh inside.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Pied Oystercatcher
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Pied Oystercatcher
The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Pied Oystercatcher
The pied oystercatcher is a species of oystercatcher. It is a wading bird native to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. The similar South Island pied oystercatcher occurs in New Zealand.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Variable OystercatcherHaematopus unicolor"Variable" refers to the frontal plumage, which ranges from pied through mottled to all black.
Sooty OystercatcherHaematopus fuliginosusMeasuring 42 to 52 cm (16.5 to 20.5 in) long with a bill length of 5–8 cm (2–3 in), the sooty oystercatcher has all black plumage, with pink-red legs and scarlet or orange-red bill and eyes.
South Island OystercatcherHaematopus finschiThe South Island oystercatcher is easily identifiable as a pied oystercatcher – a large wader with striking black and white plumage, long red-orange bill, and red legs.
Side by side: Eurasian Oystercatcher vs Pied Oystercatcher · American Oystercatcher vs Pied Oystercatcher · Black Oystercatcher vs Pied Oystercatcher · Pied Oystercatcher vs Variable Oystercatcher · Pied Oystercatcher vs Sooty Oystercatcher · Pied Oystercatcher vs South Island Oystercatcher
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